Despite being moved to a virtual space, this annual meeting still has plenty to offer.

The AAO will hold its annual meeting online this year due to concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Taking place from Nov. 13-15, the virtual meeting will include many of the same events as in past years, including lectures, paper and poster presentations and Subspecialty Day. Below is a preview of the highlights.

SUBSPECIALTY DAY MEETINGS

Subspecialty Day will take place on Friday, Nov. 13, and include the following meetings:

• Glaucoma Subspecialty Day 2020: Winning Bets: Strategies in Glaucoma Care
• Pediatric Ophthalmology Subspecialty Day 2020: The Only Game in Town
• Refractive Surgery Subspecialty Day 2020: Celebrating 2020
• Retina Subspecialty Day 2020: Vision for the Future
• Uveitis Subspecialty Day 2020: Beating the Odds — How to Make Sure You Get a Full House When You’re Dealt Uveitis
• Cornea Subspecialty Day 2020: Seeing Clearly Into the Future
• Ocular Oncology and Pathology Subspecialty Day 2020: Collaboration Now More Than Ever
• Oculofacial Plastic Surgery Subspecialty Day 2020: Back to the Basics with Tips and Tricks
• Retina Subspecialty Day 2020: Vision for the Future

SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS

Two special general sessions will be held on Saturday, Nov. 14:

• Imaging for the Whole Eye: The State of the Art, chaired by Anthony N. Kuo, MD Lessons
• Learned: How to Prepare for and Recover from Disasters Affecting Your Practice, chaired by Cathleen M. McCabe, MD

On Sunday, Nov. 15, a “virtual passing of the gavel” will take place as the AAO’s outgoing 2020 president, Anne L. Coleman, MD, welcomes the incoming 2021 president, Tamara R. Fountain, MD.

Also taking place on Sunday will be a special conversation on physician wellness and the impact of COVID-19 on physicians and their communities. The talk will feature David W. Parke II, MD, CEO of the AAO, and Saul Levin, MD, MPA, FRCP-E, FRCPsych, CEO and medical director of the American Psychiatric Association.

Additionally, special moderated sessions will be held for participants joining from different time zones. “Hello, Asia!” sessions will be held on Friday and Saturday evening, and “Hello, Europe, Africa and the Middle East!” sessions will be held on Saturday and Sunday evenings. Each will be a 75-minute live interactive broadcast.

ARTWORK AND TALENT SHOWS

Though it takes place in a virtual space, this year’s show will give visitors several chances to show off their artistic talents, in addition to their medical ones. A special online “Member Art Gallery” will be created, with images of artwork submitted by attendees.

The AAO will also host an “Academy’s Got Talent” show. Participating members will submit a video clip in one of several talent categories, including music, dance, athletic and other. All the submissions will be available to view on the virtual meeting’s platform, with a panel of judges choosing three finalists. Attendees will ultimately vote on which of the three finalists to name the grand prize winner. OM